The Doctrine of Discovery
The Testimony of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee)
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5m 59s
In 1493, the Doctrine of Discovery declared that non-Christian peoples had no title to their own land — only the right to occupy it like animals. This doctrine became U.S. law in 1823 and still shapes court decisions today. Most Americans don’t know. It’s time they did.
Up Next in The Testimony of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee)
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Where the Willows meet the Water
An ancient gathering place, Where the Willows Meet the Water was once pure and life-giving. Today, its beaches close for toxic algae, its creatures drink poison without knowing. This episode confronts what we’ve done to water — and what we must restore.
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Iroquois: Originators of Lacross
For the Haudenosaunee, lacrosse is more than sport. It is ceremony, identity, and healing — a gift from the Creator. From wooden sticks in cradles to world championships, Haudenosaunee athletes carry forward the original game, playing for their people and their sovereignty.
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Scalp Lock
Often blamed on Native people, scalping began in Europe, where bounties were paid for heads, ears, and finally locks of hair. The Haudenosaunee wore scalp locks as a challenge — a mark of defiance and survival in times of brutal colonial warfare.
